Discussion Paper on Refrigerator Star Rating Algorithms in Australia and New Zealand – Revised Proposal (September 2007)

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Summary

This paper sets out new proposed energy labelling star rating algorithms (equations) for introduction in Australia and New Zealand during 2009. The paper flags the key issues for government and industry which need to be considered in the transition process to the new energy label and star ratings.

This paper is an update of the original version released for comment in January 2006 (E3 report 2006/01). The main differences from the original version of this paper are:

A completely new approach for the determination of star rating equations has been developed based on a de facto surface area function which better represents the technical energy efficiency of products across a wide size range. This results in the loss of about 2 stars for almost all products except Group 6C (the reduction is less than 1 star) and Group 1 (the reduction is typically 4 stars, but varies)
2006 sales data for Australia and New Zealand has now been included in the analysis
The proposed year for implementation of the new label is 2009. More detail on the transition arrangements has also been included.

Comments received on the original 2006 paper have been included as Appendix G and responses to these comments have been incorporated into this version as far as is possible. This paper is a precursor to the release of a full cost benefit analysis (CBA) for the algorithm change because the issue of refrigerator and freezer star ratings is complex. The CBA is expected shortly and builds on the data included in this paper.

This paper also sets out plans by the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (E3) to introduce Energy Star as the primary high efficiency endorsement label for refrigerators in Australia and New Zealand. Draft eligibility criteria for the Energy Star for refrigerators and freezers based on the new star rating algorithm are not proposed in this paper, but a range of issues are canvassed in order to facilitate the development of suitable Energy Star levels in the near future.

This page last modified 30 January 2008